In a previous essay I boldly claimed that racism was no longer ubiquitous. While some people might disagree, I stand by that assertion. Racial prejudice is not the automatic, slam-dunk, underlying cause to point to when people who have different racial shading or ethnicities are involved in some form of disagreement or conflict. Greed may be a factor. Ignorance is very likely. Ego is a possibility. And fear, in one form or another, is almost guaranteed to be lurking somewhere in the mix. But oftentimes, it is one’s belief, or more appropriately the lack of positive belief, that holds people back from doing, or attempting to do great things.

The belief I refer to is in one’s self, and in the possibility and do-ability of one’s wonderful dreams.

“Wonderful dreams.” Sounds corny, doesn’t it? It sounded that way to me when I began thinking about it, and then writing a book about it (A Freed Man: An Emancipation Proclamation (Phaelos Books ISBN 0-9700209-5-3, available February 2001). Yet, without a wonderful, personal dream to believe in, we are unlikely to invest ourselves in its manifestation. In the absence of something positive, we will then fill the vacuum that forms in our minds and hearts with all forms of negative rationalizations. We use them in an attempt to explain our apathy, lack of effort, and non-achievement to others. However, we are actually telling others as a way to explain it to ourselves. If others believe what we say is true, then we give ourselves permission to keep using the rationalization, and even believe that it is true.

Racism is one such negative rationalization. However, it is only one. There are many, for rationalizing is a human trait. Sexism, nationalism, and elitism are others. Indeed, the term ismism might be appropriate, because race isn’t the only reason that people use to rationalize inhuman treatment toward other, “different” human beings.

When I was a child my grandmother used to recite the axiom that “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” I didn’t understand what she meant at the time. I conjured visions of a tiny Satan working inside someone’s head. But take a drive down a city street today. In some areas you’ll see young men standing on corners, not with “nothing to do,” but doing nothing constructive. You can feel fear percolating inside you. Are these people satanic? Not necessarily. But experience tells you that they can be dangerous, and may have caused harm to others, in order to “support” their lifestyle. Is it racism to think this way when such men are similar color shading as you?

What person in their right mind wants to live that way? While it would be a mistake to assume that such men are not capable of changing their lives, it is also unwise to try to change it for them, without them demonstrating, of their own volition, that they are self-actualized for such change. When I see body language, dress, and hear communications that embrace a sorrowful, powerless, and limited status quo, then I will assume that no meaningful change is forthcoming from such individuals. They are unlikely to identify with my point of view as I don’t identify with theirs.

I’d suggest that the “idle mind” axiom applies to apathetic minds. With regard to self-actualization and life transformation, idle minds tend to be “the rule” rather than the exception today. However, television, and increasingly, the Internet seem to act as pacifiers for the multitude who haven’t yet made a personal commitment to create, or do something wonderful in their lives. In general, we can live with minds that have not yet made a decision. But if we throw in apathy, a sense of powerlessness, hopelessness, resentment, and anger, we’ve got ourselves a problem. The various forms of “rage” (road, air, supermarket, school, etc.) are symptomatic of toxic, vacuous mindsets in action – working under some kind of assumption that one’s outburst is “okay”.

An individual who has a wonderful dream that he or she wishes to “give birth” to in this reality will not feel inclined to harm others. How could an enlightened being consider wishing harm upon others as “wonderful?” More importantly, why would he or she put their self in harm’s way?

To be willing to harm others is to risk being harmed. Yet, many people are willing to do it, emboldened by a gun that has a longer or perhaps wider barrel. Guess they figure that the bullets are going to get to the other before the other’s bullet (if they also have a gun) will reach them.

Beliefs and very low expectations of others are clever ways of masking one’s low expectations of self: and their anger. Before we start crying race and other isms, these very personal, inner dynamics should always be examined first.

Each human being is capable of dreaming wonderful, personal dreams. Such dreams don’t involve exploitation, bringing fear, or harm to one’s self, or to others. Because they are personal, it means said dreams live in our heads and hearts. Others may not “get it” right away. Such dreams are very easy to dismiss, especially when otherwise well meaning people begin bombarding the dreamer with their own nightmares and fears. Wouldn’t you consider racism, and the many real memories that people have about it, a nightmare? I would. But it’s a new day today. The bogeyman can say, “Boo!” but we need not flinch anymore.

The most “wonderful, personal dream” that most people will admit to having involves sex. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as it’s conducted between honest, aware, and consenting adults. But if your wildest, most wonderful personal dream comes true, what do you do after the orgasm? Okay, I heard someone say, “Do it again!”

That’s one “right answer.” But beyond sex, how wide, expansive, or pervasive is your wonderful dream? How many people does it touch? How many lives does it inspire? What obstructions does it help transcend? What perceptions does it transform or fears does it quell? These are questions that we must each answer… not for others’ but for ourselves.

The most wonderful dream imaginable for some people is simply to make a lot of money. Not believing that it’s possible, they have given no thought as to how they might go about doing it (beyond playing the lottery), or they don’t care how. Some people do believe, but still don’t consider what the effects of their actions will be on others. They don’t care whom they hurt as long as they “get what they want.” I’m not talking about criminals alone. Massive damage is done to psyches passively, by the dissemination of not bright, but dim ideas.

I often get incensed when I see “performing artists” make millions through dimwitted CDs and videos by essentially telling others how “hard” life is, how little faith or hope one should have, or who should be slapped, abused, or killed. There’s the obligatory rationalization to hide behind. When it’s not racism, it’s free speech. It may be free speech, but in my opinion, it’s cowardly to deny the fact that there’s a cost.

“Golly, if everyone exercised their ‘wonderful dream,’ what would we do?” you wonder.

I’m not naïve enough to think that everyone in the world will drop years, if not generations of thinking in order to begin making their personal world a better place. But please spare me the now outmoded rationalizations. Each day, somewhere in the United States, another individual or group arrives to these shores, very likely knowing neither the language, nor the culture, and with very little money. But they believe. These men and women believe in the idea of individual freedom that this country has become known for. They see opportunities here, and believe in their own ability to overcome such obstacles as language, education, and cultural ostracism to make a better life for themselves and their families. It doesn’t mean that they will, but they are willing to bet on themselves and making the commitment that is needed.

Contrast that mindset to that of many natural born United States citizens who believe they can’t get a “fair shake” whatsoever, that they should have special “easier” standards of entry into historically closed venues, or that society is supposed to take care of them because of injustices or their heritage. They live in the same country as new immigrants. They know the language. They have the desire, but in too many cases, don’t believe that as individuals, they can “overcome.” Therefore, they don’t prepare to succeed. They don’t find, or equip themselves with knowledge that is needed. Thank God they have rationalizations to fall back on… and people that will accept such rationalizations as gospel.

Believe it or not, history is elastic, as is time. Perceptions of history will change if we change our actions today, now. For me, it means seeing the marvelous expanse of opportunities that are seeking visionaries who will embrace them. The opportunities don’t care about the visionary’s color or ethnicity. They need people who will learn, work diligently to show and help others, invest in relevant knowledge, and apply their best effort. This means seeing, embracing, and then committing to one’s own wonderful dream. Your reading this essay is part of my own manifestation.

I invite you to give life and energy to that which is wonderful within you. With that choice, you too will begin building your power over whatever “ism” standing in your way, for isms won’t necessarily stop you, but you can stop yourself.

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